Stuff of dreams

Good Shepherd Church hosts rainbow prom for LGBT community Friday night

Prom night is usually depicted in media as the greatest night of American teenagers’ lives. Yet there are countless kids who never had the chance to truly enjoy it because of feeling the need to hide the fact they were gay and who they really loved.

That’s why this Friday night’s 1st Annual San Gabriel Valley Rainbow Prom, presented by Pasadena’s Good Shepherd Church, is a great event for the local lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) community. The alcohol-free event will feature a live deejay serving up music for dancing, as well as balloon-made rainbows throughout the hall, plenty of Skittles for each table, a photo booth and a chocolate fondue table sponsored by The Melting Pot restaurant.

“We’re billing this as the prom you always wanted, but never got,” says the Rev. Rick Eisenlord, pastor of Good Shepherd and the lead organizer for the event. “This is the opportunity for everyone to take whoever they want, and dance and celebrate and have fun in a safe environment.”

Eisenlord launched Good Shepherd in Pasadena three years ago, and the ministry has grown quickly at its current location in the church hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Since moving there eight months ago and shifting to a morning service, the ministry’s congregation has grown to an average weekly attendance of 50 and 75 at Easter.

“People have responded to our message of love and inclusion,” says Rev. Eisenlord. “The goal is for people to have fun with who they love no matter who it is. This is an LGBT community dance, so come have a good time and dress up a little.”